Northern Ireland and Republic could meet in Euro 2016 Windsor warm-up

By Suzanne Breen

The new Windsor Park stadium could host a friendly international between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next year. The match would mark a growing spirit of co-operation between the teams before they fly off to compete in the Euro 2016 finals.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - OCTOBER 8: Josh Magennis of Northern Ireland (L) and Vangelis Moras of Greece (R) during the Euro 2016 Group F international football match at Windsor Park on October 8, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis makes his way off the pitch before this evening's Euro 2016 Group F international football match at Windsor Park on October 8, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill inspects the pitch before this evening's Euro 2016 Group F international football match at Windsor Park on October 8, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland captain Steve Davis reads the match day programme before this evening's Euro 2016 Group F international football match at Windsor Park on October 8, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The new Windsor Park stadium could host a friendly international between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next year. The match would mark a growing spirit of co-operation between the teams before they fly off to compete in the Euro 2016 finals.

Both managers have already spoken of their mutual respect and have vowed to offer each other all advice and assistance possible in preparation for heading to France.

The revamped Windsor Park has been suggested as the ideal venue for the friendly, which would cement the new closer relationship.

Northern Ireland and the Republic played in June, drawing 0-0 at the Aviva Stadium, but it was an unofficial game behind closed doors.

The last official fixture was almost five years ago in Dublin. Before that there were several controversial meetings during the 1990s.

Both Michael O'Neill and Martin O'Neill have said they would welcome a friendly international, while the Football Association of Ireland this week announced that the May 27 date with the Netherlands would be their final home friendly before the European Championships - further adding to the possibility that Windsor could stage an away warm-up tie thereafter.

Speculation about the match comes as a Belfast City Council committee takes a vital vote tomorrow on a proposal to host a historic joint reception for the teams.

The council's strategic policy and resources committee is set to discuss a motion to invite both sides to the groundbreaking event.

With unionists opposed to the move, the votes of Alliance members on the committee will be crucial.

Dublin City Council has already approved a motion to hold a joint reception for both teams in the Irish capital.

Ireland's striker Jonathan Walters (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from a penalty during a UEFA Euro 2016 Group D qualifying second leg play-off football match between Ireland and Bosnia Herzegovina at the Aviva stadium in Dublin on November 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PAUL FAITHPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images

Republic of Ireland's Jonathan Walters scores his sides first goal of the game from the penalty spot during the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 16, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Republic. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission, please contact PA Images for further information: Tel: +44 (0) 115 8447447.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Jon Walters of Republic of Ireland scores from the penalty spot during the Euro 2016 play-off second leg between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland fans Shane Peppard (centre) with his son Clayton, aged 9, (left) and nephew Sean, 12, from Clondalkin during the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff second leg between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 16, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Republic. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

James McCarthy of the Republic of Ireland goes past the tackle from Edin Cocalic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Senad Lulic (rear) battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PA

Senad Lulic of Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on Seamus Coleman of the Republic of Ireland iduring the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland's Jonathan Walters (right) has a chance saved by Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (left) during the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PA

Wes Hoolahan (R) of Republic of Ireland and Ognjen Vranjes (L) Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Bosnia and Herzegovina fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Bosnia and Herzegovina fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Bosnia and Herzegovina fans take pictures of there team warming up prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Fans make their way into the ground before the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Bosnia fans pose for pictures before the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Scarves on sale by street sellers before the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Republic of Ireland fans pose for pictures before the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Bosnia fans pose for pictures before the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: The Bosnia and Herzegovina team warm up prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Roy Keane (C) of the Republic of Ireland warms up prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Republic of Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane looks on as his players warm up prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

A general view of the Aviva Stadium ahead of the the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 16, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Republic. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission, please contact PA Images for further information: Tel: +44 (0) 115 8447447.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the stadium prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the stadium prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the stadium prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the stadium prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

SDLP councillor Declan Boyle last night warned that if the strategic policy and resources committee failed to support his party's proposal for the reception, Belfast would be sending out an "embarrassingly backward message" to the sporting world.

Mr Boyle said that the motion was "a genuine attempt to promote cross-community unity" in celebration of two teams under Northern Ireland managers qualifying for Euro 2016.

He said the SDLP proposal was in keeping with the growing momentum for a friendly between the sides.

"I couldn't think of a better send-off than to have them play at the new Windsor Park stadium and to host a reception for them at City Hall on the same day," he said.

"There is nothing in the slightest threatening about this proposal and I genuinely can't see why it has met with opposition from unionists. We should be celebrating this wonderful and unique achievement, not continuing a petty political squabble."

Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers has questioned the motive behind the proposal and said he would prefer a reception for "the British Isles teams" which would include England and Wales.

DUP councillor Brian Kingston has said it would be inappropriate for the council to stage the event.

"Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland team is our national team," he stated.

Councillor Boyle said that while Belfast was dithering over what to do, Dublin City Council had seized the initiative.

"Having heard about the SDLP proposal last month, Dublin council decided to run with it. Their officials are now about to talk to the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland about making it happen," he said.

"Belfast city councillors really need to stop dragging their heels or they will be left behind looking very ungracious. I hope Alliance councillors will support this motion on Friday and we will be able to get moving on it."

If passed, the motion will go before a full council meeting for consideration next month.

Former Northern Ireland player Gerry Armstrong has supported the proposed joint reception and expressed his dismay at the political row.

"I think it's a great idea. Unfortunately, politics in Northern Ireland tends to get in the way," he said.

Former IFA president Jim Boyce has said political differences should be put aside to honour the achievement of both teams.